Football kick off looms
Rangers AFC did the league/cup double in 2022. Photo supplied
The nets are up, the grass has been mowed, the lines marked out and play in the 2023 Marlborough football season is set to begin.
Senior men’s grades kick off on Saturday, April 15, with the 14 sides involved split into two sections.
Mayfield Motorworld division one will comprise six teams, regular top-echelon sides Central Buccaneers, Bottle-O BV Masters, Central Wolves and Call Care Trojans being joined by Rangers Woodbourne, the first time for many seasons a team from the Base has been involved, and Picton Wildcats, who have reluctantly been promoted from last year’s division two. There will be no Rangers Development side involved in division one this year.
The second division will feature eight teams – Rangers Masters, Rangers Reserves, Picton Crow Tavern, Trojans Marlborough Men, Call Care Spartans, Call Care Red, Rangers City and Central Privateers.
Division one sides will play three full rounds to decide the league winner, with no promotion/relegation this season, while division two teams will complete two full rounds. At the conclusion of the league season the annual Knockout Cup competition will again be played.
Also kicking off on April 15 will be the region’s flagship side, Rangers AFC.
They will open their 2023 Nelson division one campaign on Saturday at A&P Park, taking on Richmond.
Once again, they will be guided around the paddock by player/coach Tore Waechter, the vastly-experienced midfielder a key part of the side which secured the league/cup double in 2022.
Despite the absence of such influential players as Carl Connor-McClean, Harrison Pine and Louie Poletti for this campaign, Rangers’ ranks have been bolstered by the introduction of former midfield dynamo Taine Swete, the impressive Alex Duley, Guy Nolan and Boyd Elvy, the latter two making the step up from the reserve team last year.
While Rangers have a strong squad on paper, a string of recent injuries has left them light on numbers at the outset of the season.
Aaron Hayes (concussion), Swete (ribs), Sverre Waechter (collar bone) are all sidelined at present while the availability of Scott Belsham and Sam Hickmott is up in the air.
However, classy campaigners such as Jordan Columbus, Bjorn Waechter, Kane Elvy, Callum McDonald, Keagan Mortimer, keeper Luc Sherwood and Jack Morris will provide a solid base.
“I know we have it in us to defend our title, and that's what we are aiming for,” Tore said.
“But I also know we have nothing to prove as we are consistently a top two team in this league. During a season where we are already plagued with injury, enjoyment will be a big factor for us.
“I am really proud of the football the boys have been playing. We have put a huge focus into working as a team, not having to rely on individual strengths to get us over the line and that's a massive positive.
“The boys have been fully onboard and committed to playing a style of football that suits everyone in the team, moving the ball quickly and working for each other,” added Tore.
Rangers AFC squad for 2023: Luc Sherwood (GK), Kane Elvy, Boyd Elvy, Jordan Columbus, Fynn Hawes, Alex Duley, Bjorn Waechter, Tore Waechter, Callum McDonald, Guy Nolan, Jack Morris, Keagan Mortimer, Aaron Hayes, Sam Hickmott, Sverre Waechter, Taine Swete, Scott Belsham.
Final numbers for the women’s competition have yet to be finalised with three teams confirmed and a fourth side possible. Their season begins on April 29.
Marlborough Football general manager Andrea Smith-Scott is happy that overall team numbers have remained strong.
“I am looking forward to a really exciting season,” she said. “It is great to keep the same [team] numbers as last year even though a few of our players have left the province. It is also good to have a couple of new teams in division one.”
Senior games will be played on fields located at A&P Park, Oliver Park, Athletic Park, Renwick, Picton’s Endeavour Park and Woodbourne during the forthcoming season.
Andrea said the fact they are able to spread the workload over more pitches this year will be a bonus when wet weather begins to have an impact on ground availability.
“We don’t want to have the same hassles that occurred last season with cancellations so we are spreading the games out more … we also have our fingers crossed that the weather is a bit kinder this season.”
Key dates
Leagues
Rangers AFC - begin with home league game April 15
Marlborough senior men’s club season begins April 15
Juniors, youth, women football begin on April 29.
Tournaments in Blenheim
NZSSC Gary Sowden girls’ college tournament (16 teams) – August 28-31.
12thgrade girls SI tournament – September 24-26
12thgrade Gavin Roberts SI tournament - September 24-26
Tasman club rep tournaments 11-12th grades – Sept 28-29; 13th 14thgrade – October 1-2
South Island Masters (approx. 50 teams) Oct 13-15
Matt Neal Memorial tournament (approx. 18 teams) Oct 26-27